EXCURSIONS

EXCURSIONS

The Alpine Romania ~ 8 Days

A tour in which we’ll explore interesting areas of the Carpathian Mountains. An area where Olt River creates beautiful scenery on the way to the Danube River. Part of the Southern Carpathians, Cozia National Park offer impressive landscapes over the Olt narrow path, famous Alpine Roads – Transfagarasan (appreciated by Top Gear drivers) and Trans - Alpina (the highest road in Romania), waterfalls, and finally the ridge of the Transylvanian Alps, history, spirituality of those places ~ are the only few ingredients that. turn this tour into an excellent destination for those seeking to spend here an unforgettable holiday.

Day 1 – Henri Coanda International Airport – Ramnicu Valcea
Arrival at the airport you’ll be welcomed by the tour guide. From here we’ll drive straight to Ramnicu Valcea, the residence Town of Valcea County. Set at the foothills of the Southern Carpathians the city is located at about 12 kilometers (7.5 mi) from the Cozia Mountains and about 40 kilometres (25 mi) from the Fagars and Lotrului Mountains. Ramnicu Valcea was first attested during the rule of Prince Mircea cel Batran as &amp;amp;quot;the princely town of Ramnic&amp;amp;quot; (4 September 1388), and confirmed as the seat of a Valcea County during the same period (8 January 1392).
Accommodation and time on your own. Sofianu Art Hotel 4*

Day 2 – Cozia Mountains day
Hot and cold buffet. After breakfast drive 30 minutes to Cozia National Park. Cozia National Park with an area of 17.100 ha was declared natural protected area in March 6, 2000 and represents a mountainous area with flora and fauna specific to Southern Carpathians. Besides its peculiar aspect of flora elements, Cozia National Park has a good number of lichen species. The Cozia National Park serves as a halting place for birds, as the Olt Valley is part of the migration corridor, from Central Europe to the Aegean Sea, and the barrier lakes created favorable conditions for various wintering species. Legends say that the Cozia mountain is actually the mountain of Zalmoxis, and the Dacian flag represents the dragon, the rock on the Cozia summit, seen from Ramnicu Valcea. The highest summit is Cozia, Ciuha Neamtului (about 1,700 meters , 5100 ft). Most of the routes are marked and arranged for tourists, but one of the particularities of this mountain is the lack of springs.
Medium hiking trail, Elevation 1700 metres(5100 ft) high, Duration approximate 6 hours.
Highlights: Ciuha Neamtului Peak, Coltii Foarfecii, Cascada Gardului.
Back to Ramnicu Valcea, accommodation Sofianu Art hotel. Time at leisure.

Day 3 – The Trans Alpine Road
After breakfast we are heading west in order to reach to the access to Trans Alpine Road, the highest elevation in Romania (2143 meters high at Urdele Pass). On the way a short stop to „Trovanti Geological Museum” – The trovants (cemented sand) represent local cementation in the reservoir of sand that contains them. Along with the sediments, from the water get accumulated chemical substances in excess (carbonates). The existence of fluids in the interstitial space is the main premises of chemical transformations, that lead to the cementation process. Next stop is to Pestera Muierii (The Woman’s Cave) - an elaborate cave system located in the Baia de Fier commune. It contains abundant cave bear remains, as well as a human skull. After the fascinating visit of the cave we’ll drive along the Alpine Road up to 2143 meters high. Scenery here is breathtaking. Driving along Lotru Valley we’ll reach, to our final visit of the day, to Lotrisor Waterfall. Located on Lotrisor Valley this area is part of Capatanii Maountains that are included in Cozia National Park. The water comes from approximate 515 meters high and falls into the void for about 30 metres (90 ft).
Highlights: The Alpine Road, Woman’s Cave, Lotrisor Waterfall .
Easy hiking trail, Elevation 2143 metres high, Duration aproximate 7 hours.
Back to Ramnicu Valcea, accommodation Sofianu Art hotel. Time at leisure.

Day 4 – Buila Vanturarita Mountains
In the morning we’ll drive to Cheia Village, passing along the beautiful scenery of Cheia rivulet. Its beauty and uniqueness reside in the high number of caves, grotto and gorges. Unlike Cozia, the park has many streams and springs, with 44 springs in the Costesti area alone. It's the mountain of transhumance, of the chamois (rupicapra rupicapra carpatica), it has the narrowest limestone gorges in Romania (the Bistrita Gorges), as well as a treasure of monasteries and hermitages, in Horezu, Bistrita, Arnota, Iezer, Pahomnie, Patrunsa, Jgheaburi, Frasinei, Bradu, Peri, Papusa and the cave churches in the Bats' Cave. The majority of the rivers of the county have their source located in the Buila-Vanturarita park: Olanesti, Cheia, Govora, Luncavat, Bistrita, Romani, Cerna. Dedidous forest accompany us. Pass under the tunnel and in short time we reach the mountain shelter Cheia. From here we follow the savage trail downstream of the canyon formed by the water. The nature’s beauty makes us to tarry longer in this environment. From here we’ll start our ascent to the upper side.
Highlights: Cheile Cheii Canyon
Medium hiking trail, Elevation 1290 – 1315 metres high (3945 ft), Duration: approximate 7 hours
Back to Ramnicu Valcea, accommodation Sofianu Art hotel. Time at leisure

Day 5 – Ramnicu Valcea - Curtea de Arges – Transfagarasan – Sambata de Sus (Dragus)
Hot and cold buffet. Depart from Ramnicu Valcea we’ll drive towards Curtea de Arges town, known also as the first capital of Wallachia. On the way to the most scenic alpine road according with TOP GEAR drivers, we’ll stop to Poienari Fortress – the real place where Vlad the Impaler lived. From here another few minutes of driving and stop to Vidraru Dam (the biggest in Romania). Here the scenery is dramatic. Continue our way on the bank of Vidrau lake until we reach Balea Saddle and this way we step to Transylvania. Stop at 2038 meters high and a short visit of the surroundings with the possibility to taste traditional cheese. Here there is the biggest glacial lake in Romania. Late in the afternoon we’ll reach Sambata de Sus, the access point towards Fagaras Mountain ridge.
Highlights: Poienari fortress, Fagarasan alpine Road, Balea Lake
Accommodation at Casa Dragonilor Hotel 3*. Dinner and leisure.

Day 6 – Fagaras Mountain day
After breakfast we’ll start our hiking day following Sambata mountain river upstream. First part is following beautiful coniferus forest. As we reach close to the Sambata Chalet the scenery become spectacular. To our left side an isolated rock formation - the Gout Rock welcomes us and in short time we’ll be in the meadow in front of the chalet. From here following the trail we’ll pass through glacier pail up to Fereastra Mare. Once we reach the ridge we’ll have the chance to see the entire trail. Follow the ridge for a hour and back to our location after a very beautiful day spent in the nature.
Highlights: Sambata Valley, the Gout Rock, Sambata Pail
Medium hiking trail, Elevation 2100 meters (6300ft), Duration: approximate 9 hours
Accommodation at Casa Dragonilor Hotel. Time at leisure

Day 7 – Sambata – Fagaras – Brasov
A la carte breakfast and departure. On the way stop to Lipitzan Horse farm for a visit. After this we’ll drive to Fagaras town where we’ll stop and visit Fagaras Fortress – one of the best preserved fortification in Transylvania. Fagaras, together with Almas, represented during the medieval times a traditional Romanian local-autonomy region in Transylvania. The first written document mentioning Romanians in Transylvania referred to Blachs lands (&amp;amp;quot;Terra Blacorum&amp;amp;quot;) in the Fogaras Region in 1222. (In this document, Andrew II of Hungary gave Burzeland and the Cuman territories - South of Burzenland up to the Danube - to the Teutonic Knights). Reach Brasov city part of the seven fortified cities founded by the Transylvanian Saxons.
Highlights: Lipitzan Horse farm, Fagaras Fortress, Brasov Old Town
Accommodation at Casa Wagner (16th century) hotel or similar. Time at leisure and dinner in a traditional restaurant in Brasov.

Day 8 – Day of departure
According with your departure we can visit Peles palace – the former summer residence of the Romanian Royal family on the way to the airport. We’ll reach the airport in due time for check in formalities. End of your private tour in Romania.

Price from 850 euro/person

^Airfare is not included in the tour price.
* NOTE: Booking necessary at least 7 days (low season) 30 days (peak season) ahead

Additional information
This tour must be booked at least 7 days(low season) and 30 days (peak season) in advance of your travel date
Tour prices are flexible and based on your requirements
Season: 15th of June – 15th of October

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